Xherdan Shaqiri showed Anfield crowd who they missed in Belgrade

Jurgen Klopp opted to leave Xherdan Shaqiri at home for the midweek Champions League game against Red Star Belgrade in Serbia for political reasons. Xherdan Shaqiri’s goal celebration against Serbia during FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 wasn’t appreciated and he was doomed for his political “double eagle” celebration. Klopp didn’t want to upset Serbian supporters and cause havoc in Belgrade, so he asked Shaqiri to stay in Liverpool. But, Red Star Belgrade’s 2-0 victory over Liverpool must have given a thought to Klopp that why he didn’t bring Shaqiri here. Shaqiri in very next game back at home against Fulham showed Anfield crowd who they missed in Belgrade.

Swiss played scored the winning goal for Liverpool with a perfect volley to take them on top of the Premier League table. It might be a short lived lead, but Klopp got the reaction he asked to his players after Belgrade defeat. It wasn’t a typical Liverpool’s performance but it hasn’t been the case this season in most of the games.

They have got the winning how methodology and they are sticking to it. In the end it proved to be a routine victory at Anfield, but Fulham proved to be a difficult opponent for the home side in first-half.

Visitors cause havoc in opposition half with their chances. Ryan Sessegnon missed a great chance to give Fulham lead. Aleksander Mitrovic met a brilliant header and he thought he gave the lead to Londoners but his goal was disallowed by assistant referee marginally, and within 14 seconds Liverpool had the lead on the opposite end.

Allison Becker played a quick free-kick to Alexander-Arnold and full-back quickly releases Mohamed Salah to sprint forward escaping shaky Fulham defence. Salah calmly get passed Fulham defense before striking confidently under Sergio Rico. Liverpool got the much needed lead to prove their supremacy.

5 – Xherdan Shaqiri has either scored or assisted in five of his last six games for Liverpool in all competitions (2 goals, 3 assists). Influence. #LIVFULpic.twitter.com/ZWhpWsxrPR

Second-half proved to be a dead rubber after Xherdan Shaqiri showed his class. Within 8 minutes of the second-half, he scored a perfect volley after controlling Andy Robertson’s cross. Robertson crossed a ball deep into the Fulham defense where Shaqiri was lively to escape Cairney and steer the ball past Rico after controlling the volley perfectly.

Shaqiri was taken off in 81st minute but he received a standing ovation from the Anfield crowd. Klopp was also high on praise for the Swiss international and why not they should be applauding him. He has scored or assisted in five out of last six Liverpool’s game.